The Ever Changing Goal Posts
Sorry, it’s been a while…
Hi Friends
Firstly, we want to say we’re very sorry it’s been a long time since we posted an updated blog. For those of you who are our regular followers and supporters, you already know about the challenges we often face dealing with Thai Government departments and officials. Many of you also know the extraordinary time commitment involved in dealing with those issues. Well, the last year or so has been especially consumed with such issues but we are happy to let you know we’re working through many of them. Stay tuned for our next blog exploring how we have pivoted and regrouped some of our projects. Since 2015, we have never given up on what we’ve been called to do, and whatever the changing tides or shifting goalposts, we will not give up.
That all being said here’s a quick update for you:
A big thank you to all of you who have been concerned for Karen since her very unexpected emergency surgery in Canada this past October. She is doing very well now, thank you for your love and support.
We had a very busy start to 2025, with many visits from friends and supporters, from about the middle of Dec 2024 to the end of Feb 2025. It was wonderful for them to spend time with the girls and participate in outreaches, watching the girls lead activities and work with the kids. The outreaches included the girls second annual hosting of the Christmas Carol Sing a Long at the Legend Hotel Chiang Rai. It was an extra-special time this Christmas because Thip was home with us and the girls were together again at Christmas for the 1st time in 4 years.
The girls are doing so well and just finished another year of their English A.C.E. Homeschool program. They all continue to excel at Honour Roll levels. (to achieve this level yearly overall averages must be 94%-100%) In March of 2024, Olivia, Mercy, and Lida also graduated early from their Thai High School program, and they were awarded as the top 3 students in Chiang Rai, out of 2000 students.
Grace has just entered her last year of the Thai High School program and is on track to graduate early in March of 2026.
The girls all played sports with Chiang Rai International Christian School again this past school year. Two played Varsity, and two played JV Volleyball, and Mercy played Soccer. Unfortunately, the annual soccer tournament didn’t happen because of the flooding issues in Northern Thailand last fall. The four girls did however participate in the annual interprovincial VolleyBall tournament in Chiang Mai in March and came out on top. The CRICS girls Varsity won gold and JV won silver medals. It was such a fantastic experience for them, a memory they will always cherish.
Thip finished her internship in Chon Buri and graduated from her 4th year of College at Impact Asia Bible Institute. We surprised her by bringing the girls with us to Chiang Mai for the ceremony, she wasn’t expecting her sisters to be there, and WoW! She was so surprised. Thip started her current job in April, she is living and working in Sriracha, Thailand at a Pre-School.
The girls once again helped to organize and lead small groups and games at the annual Youth conference in Mae Sai, hosting about 100 young people from around Thailand. Olivia also participated as a translator at another youth conference in Mae Hong Son province that hosted approximately 500 young people from the surrounding areas.
A huge thank you to all of you who faithfully and continually support the girl’s growth in every area, and their ongoing education. Your support is a catalyst to them exploring their potential, experiencing success, and dreaming about things they never thought possible. Thank you for all you do to help nurture the human spirit, one child, one village, and one community at a time.
There will never be enough words to express our gratitude to all who support this mission.
Stay tuned for our next blog there’s more to tell….